Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001471
Apply for DE FOA 0001471
- The DOE-GFO in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "ADVANCEMENTS IN ALGAL BIOMASS YIELD, PHASE 2 (ABY2)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.087.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 15, 2016 and posted on Jan 15, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 25, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $5,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The ADVANCEMENTS IN ALGAL BIOMASS YIELD, PHASE 2 (ABY2) funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0001471) is a U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) solicitation under the Advanced Algal Systems Program focused on boosting outdoor algae productivity to make algae-based fuels and fuel precursors more commercially viable. The core purpose is to support projects that develop and validate technologies capable of producing an annualized average of 3,700 gallons per acre per year (gal/acre/yr) of an algal biofuel intermediate (or an equivalent amount on a dry-weight basis). A key point is that the yield must be demonstrated as an annualized average in an outdoor test environment, not a short-lived peak performance result or a purely modeled projection. Projects may achieve this through multiple batch campaigns or via semi-continuous or continuous cultivation and harvesting approaches, but the program emphasis is on repeatable, real-world performance.
In this FOA, DOE uses the term "biofuel intermediate" to mean an algae-derived, biomass-based feedstock that can stand in for petroleum-derived inputs in downstream refining. The intent is that these intermediates are commodity-like materials that can move through a supply chain, meaning they should be transferable from a producer to a refiner and suitable for further upgrading. These intermediates can ultimately be refined into multiple liquid transportation fuels, including ethanol, renewable diesel, and renewable jet fuel, among others. In other words, DOE is not only interested in growing more algae; it is specifically interested in growing algae in a way that produces a useful, refinery-compatible intermediate at high yield.
Performance expectations extend beyond raw productivity. The 3,700 gal/acre/yr target needs to be achieved under conditions that support favorable lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions and credible techno-economic performance. The FOA highlights energy return on investment (EROI), described as the energy content of the final products divided by the energy inputs, assuming mature-scale deployment. Practically, this means applicants need to show that their approach is not just high-yielding, but also energy- and carbon-sensible when considered as an integrated production and conversion pathway, with an eye toward eventual scale-up.
ABY2 is framed as an interim step between two broader BETO program milestones at process development unit scale: 2,500 gal/acre/yr by 2018 and 5,000 gal/acre/yr by 2022. This Phase 2 FOA targets the middle ground between those benchmarks, aiming for 3,700 gal/acre/yr by 2020 in an outdoor setting. DOE also sets a baseline requirement to ensure projects start from a credible foundation: at the beginning of the proposed project (the baseline), teams are expected to already be producing between 1,900 and 2,500 gal/acre/yr on an annualized average basis, and then present a reasonable, realistic plan to reach 3,700 gal/acre/yr by the end of the project period. This structure signals that the solicitation is meant for teams that have moved beyond early proof-of-concept and are ready to demonstrate substantial improvements with tangible outdoor data.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary funding opportunity using cooperative agreements, which typically means substantial DOE involvement during the project (for example, technical direction, milestones, and go/no-go decisions are common in cooperative agreements compared with more hands-off grants). Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to different entity types, subject to any additional clarifications in the FOA itself. The opportunity was posted January 15, 2016, with an application deadline of March 25, 2016. DOE anticipated making about 6 awards, with an award ceiling of $5,000,000 per award. The funding activity category is Energy, and the CFDA number provided is 81.087. Applications were to be submitted through DOE EERE Exchange (https://eere-exchange.energy.gov), which is also where the full FOA and instructions for questions and submission support were provided.
Overall, ABY2 is essentially a performance-driven R and D and demonstration push to close the gap between promising algae cultivation concepts and consistently high-yield, outdoor, scalable production of refinery-relevant biofuel intermediates, with lifecycle GHG and techno-economic credibility built into the definition of success.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Advancements in Algal Biomass Yield, Phase 2 (ABY2) - DE-FOA-0001471
What is the ABY2 funding opportunity?
Advancements in Algal Biomass Yield, Phase 2 (ABY2) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) solicitation under the Advanced Algal Systems Program. It funds projects aimed at boosting outdoor algae productivity so algae-based fuels and fuel precursors can become more commercially viable.
What is the main goal or performance target for funded projects?
The core target is to develop and validate technologies that can produce an annualized average of 3,700 gallons per acre per year (gal/acre/yr) of an algal biofuel intermediate, or an equivalent amount on a dry-weight basis.
Does the 3,700 gal/acre/yr target need to be demonstrated outdoors?
Yes. The FOA emphasizes that the yield must be demonstrated as an annualized average in an outdoor test environment. It is not sufficient to show only short-lived peak performance results or purely modeled/projection-based performance.
What does DOE mean by "annualized average" yield?
In this FOA, DOE is looking for a yield expressed as an annualized average, meaning performance is represented in a way that reflects sustained production over time rather than brief spikes. The intent is to capture repeatable, real-world productivity in outdoor conditions.
Are modeled results acceptable instead of real-world data?
Modeled projections by themselves are not the focus. The FOA specifically notes that the target must not be a purely modeled projection; it should be demonstrated through outdoor testing as an annualized average.
Can projects use different cultivation and harvesting approaches?
Yes. Projects may reach the target through multiple batch campaigns or through semi-continuous or continuous cultivation and harvesting approaches. The emphasis is on repeatable, real-world performance in an outdoor setting.
What is a "biofuel intermediate" in the context of ABY2?
DOE defines a biofuel intermediate as an algae-derived, biomass-based feedstock that can stand in for petroleum-derived inputs in downstream refining. These intermediates are intended to be commodity-like materials that can move through a supply chain (transferable from a producer to a refiner) and be suitable for further upgrading.
Why does the FOA focus on intermediates instead of just growing more algae?
The opportunity is not only about increasing algal growth. It is about producing a useful, refinery-compatible intermediate at high yield, so the output can fit into downstream refining and fuel production pathways.
What kinds of fuels can be made from these algae-derived intermediates?
The FOA notes that these intermediates can ultimately be refined into multiple liquid transportation fuels, including ethanol, renewable diesel, and renewable jet fuel, among others.
Is productivity the only metric of success?
No. In addition to meeting the 3,700 gal/acre/yr yield target, projects are expected to achieve results under conditions that support favorable lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions and credible techno-economic performance.
What is EROI and why does it matter for ABY2?
EROI stands for energy return on investment. The FOA describes it as the energy content of the final products divided by the energy inputs, assuming mature-scale deployment. This matters because DOE is looking for approaches that are not only high-yielding, but also energy-sensible when considered as an integrated production and conversion pathway with scale-up in mind.
How does ABY2 fit into DOE BETO milestones?
ABY2 is positioned as an interim step between BETO program milestones at process development unit scale: 2,500 gal/acre/yr by 2018 and 5,000 gal/acre/yr by 2022. This Phase 2 FOA targets 3,700 gal/acre/yr by 2020 in an outdoor setting.
Is there a baseline productivity requirement to apply?
Yes. The FOA includes a baseline expectation that, at the beginning of the proposed project, teams are already producing between 1,900 and 2,500 gal/acre/yr on an annualized average basis, and that they provide a reasonable, realistic plan to reach 3,700 gal/acre/yr by the end of the project period.
What does the baseline requirement imply about the maturity of eligible projects?
It suggests the solicitation is intended for teams beyond early proof-of-concept, who can already demonstrate credible outdoor productivity and are ready to deliver substantial improvements supported by tangible outdoor data.
What type of award instrument will DOE use?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity that uses cooperative agreements.
What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?
Cooperative agreements typically involve substantial DOE involvement during the project. The FOA indicates this can include technical direction, milestones, and go/no-go decisions, compared to more hands-off grant structures.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to different entity types, subject to any additional clarifications in the FOA.
How many awards did DOE anticipate making?
DOE anticipated making about 6 awards under this funding opportunity.
What is the maximum award size?
The award ceiling is listed as $5,000,000 per award.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is Energy.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number provided is 81.087.
When was the opportunity posted and what was the application deadline?
The opportunity was posted January 15, 2016. The application deadline was March 25, 2016.
Where were applications submitted?
Applications were to be submitted through DOE EERE Exchange at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov. The FOA and instructions for questions and submission support were also provided through EERE Exchange.
What is DOE ultimately trying to achieve with ABY2?
ABY2 is a performance-driven R&D and demonstration push to close the gap between promising algae cultivation concepts and consistently high-yield, outdoor, scalable production of refinery-relevant biofuel intermediates, with lifecycle GHG and techno-economic credibility built into the definition of success.
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| Notice of Intent (NOI) Solar Energy Evolution and Diffusion Studies II – State Energy Strategies Apply for DE FOA 0001520 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001520 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NE Traineeship for Radiochemistry Apply for DE FOA 0001369 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001369 Agency: DOE-ID Category: Energy Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Request for Information (RFI) DE-FOA-0001512: Accounting Conventions for Non-Combustible Renewable Energy Apply for DE FOA 0001512 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001512 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| STATE ENERGY EVOLUTION AND DIFFUSION STUDIES II - STATE ENERGY STRATEGIES (SEEDSII-SES) Apply for DE FOA 0001496 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001496 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| OIA Empowering Insular Communities Program Apply for EIC 2016 Funding Number: EIC 2016 Agency: DOI Category: Energy Funding Amount: $2,971,000 |
| Establishment of an Inter-tribal Technical Assistance Energy Providers Network Apply for DE FOA 0001453 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001453 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Request for Information (RFI) DE-FOA-0001526: Biofuels & Bioproducts Process Pilot Verification Capabilities Apply for DE FOA 0001526 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001526 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: $100 |
| Notice of Intent: Commercial Buildings and Energy Code Field Studies Apply for DE FOA 0001544 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001544 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| 'Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy Conversion and Environmental Monitoring Technology Advancement' Apply for DE FOA 0001527 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001527 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: $5,300,000 |
| Notice of Intent: Next Generation of Electric Machines: Enabling Technologies Apply for DE FOA 0001525 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001525 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: $6,500,000 |
| Innovative Concepts for Modular Oxygen Production in Fossil Energy Gasification Systems Apply for DE FOA 0001456 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001456 Agency: DOE-NETL Category: Energy Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| NOI: Cities Leading through Energy Analysis and Planning (Cities-LEAP) Apply for DE FOA 0001422 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001422 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DE-FOA-0001545 Request for Information: Challenges and Opportunities for Non-Powered Dam and Pumped Storage Hydropower Development in the U.S. Apply for DE FOA 0001545 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001545 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement: Industrial Assessment Centers Apply for DE FOA 0001466 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001466 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,750,000 |
| ADVANCED SYSTEMS LEVEL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT, INTEGRATION AND DEMONSTRATION FOR EFFICIENT CLASS 8 TRUCKS, SUPERTRUCK II Apply for DE FOA 0001447 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001447 Agency: DOE-NETL Category: Energy Funding Amount: $20,000,000 |
| Commercial Buildings and Energy Code Field Studies Apply for DE FOA 0001532 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001532 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: $2,800,000 |
| Marine and Hydrokinetic Technology Development Apply for DE FOA 0001418 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001418 Agency: DOE-GFO Category: Energy Funding Amount: $5,350,000 |
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